The estimated cost to replace the community hall at Coopers Green Park in Halfmoon Bay has increased once more, but directors remain committed to move ahead with the project.
The cost of the Coopers Green Hall replacement project was revised from the estimated $1.9 million in June to $2.5 million. That increase is due to a metal roof in the design being confirmed, a more complete kitchen design and the expected increased cost of steel, which will be used for the building’s trusses.
At a Dec. 13 planning committee meeting, directors voted unanimously to go ahead and apply for a grant that could cover up to 73 per cent of eligible costs. The SCRD would cover the rest through partnerships and fundraising.
While $2.5 million is the new baseline, that amount doesn’t account for the site’s septic and this “represents a cost risk,” said a report to the committee. Also not included in the cost estimate are professional fees such as for archeological assessment, furniture, parking and other site improvements, and hazardous materials cleanup. Those added costs bring the project total to just shy of $2.9 million.
The Halfmoon Bay Community Association has pledged $300,000 and has so far raised about $208,600. The association has also applied for a $150,000 grant through the Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund. About 147,000 has been contributed from Independent Power Projects.
If the grant application is successful, that leaves a funding gap of about $591,000, which would be covered through short-term borrowing by the SCRD.
Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize was critical of the funding gap, and said the remaining funds is “a big ask” for all the rural areas and especially the parks funds. “It’s a very large project that’s going to take quite a few resources away from the parks fund just to Area B. I just want to have that on record,” he said at the meeting.
Lori Pratt, chair and director for Halfmoon Bay, responded to Tize’s concerns by referencing the Halfmoon Bay Community Association’s fundraising efforts. “I know in speaking with them, they’re very well organized and we’re looking to work together to look for other funding sources through partner organizations as well,” she said.
Volunteer labour was also raised as a possible means of mitigating costs.
